Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) Downgraded by Zacks Research to Hold

Key Points

• Zacks Research downgraded Molina Healthcare from “Strong Buy” to “Hold” and issued slightly lower earnings estimates, including $5.25 EPS for fiscal 2026 and $9.24 for fiscal 2027.
• Analyst sentiment is broadly neutral: 12 analysts rate the stock Hold, compared with three Buy and two Sell ratings, resulting in a consensus Hold rating and an average price target of $202.44.
• Molina’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, with $1.51 EPS versus the $1.39 consensus and $10.87 billion in revenue, although revenue declined 4.8% year over year and the company reported a negative net margin.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH - Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities researchers at Zacks Research from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report issued on Monday, Zacks reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Molina Healthcare's Q3 2026 earnings at $0.70 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.69 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.25 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.23 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $2.11 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $9.24 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $2.13 EPS and Q3 2028 earnings at $4.06 EPS.

MOH has been the subject of several other reports. Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of Molina Healthcare from $250.00 to $225.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 24th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $230.00 target price on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Molina Healthcare from a "sell (d+)" rating to a "sell (d)" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research report on Friday. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Molina Healthcare from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Sunday, October 4th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $202.44.

Molina Healthcare Price Performance

MOH opened at $209.38 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 1.68. Molina Healthcare has a 52-week low of $121.06 and a 52-week high of $244.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.93 billion, a PE ratio of -1,163.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 29.29 and a beta of 0.78. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $198.62 and its 200-day moving average price is $192.25.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The company reported $1.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $10.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.83 billion. Molina Healthcare had a negative net margin of 0.02% and a positive return on equity of 3.73%. Molina Healthcare's revenue was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $5.48 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Molina Healthcare will post 5.29 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Molina Healthcare

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MOH. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Molina Healthcare by 1,250.0% in the 1st quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 216 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 504.9% during the 1st quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 248 shares of the company's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 118.2% during the 2nd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 144 shares of the company's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in Molina Healthcare during the second quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its position in Molina Healthcare by 64.5% during the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 232 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. 98.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Molina Healthcare

Here are the key news stories impacting Molina Healthcare this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Investor sentiment toward managed-care insurers has improved, while Molina’s scheduled earnings release and the launch of its Illinois HealthChoice Medicaid contract are providing near-term catalysts. The company’s prior quarter also exceeded adjusted EPS expectations, supporting confidence in execution. Molina Healthcare Gains as Investors Weigh Sector Tailwinds and Near-Term Catalysts
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research continues to rate MOH “Strong Buy,” despite trimming several forecasts. The stock also outperformed peers during a broadly strong trading session, indicating favorable recent market momentum. Molina Healthcare Inc. stock outperforms competitors on strong trading day
• Neutral Sentiment: Molina is projected to report quarterly earnings on Wednesday, making the upcoming results and management outlook the key near-term catalysts for the shares. Molina Healthcare Projected to Post Quarterly Earnings on Wednesday
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research lowered EPS estimates across multiple periods: Q3 2026 to $0.70 from $0.71, Q4 2026 to $0.69 from $0.70, FY2026 to $5.25 from $5.27, FY2027 to $9.24 from $9.28, and modestly reduced 2027–2028 quarterly forecasts. The cuts suggest some pressure on expected profitability, although the revised FY2026 estimate remains close to the broader $5.29 consensus.
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider activity consisted of sales rather than purchases, while one analyst comparison favored Centene over Molina because of Centene’s valuation and earnings outlook. These signals may weigh on sentiment. Centene vs. Molina: Which Managed Care Stock Has More Upside?

Molina Healthcare Company Profile

Molina Healthcare, Inc is a managed-care company that provides health insurance and related healthcare services primarily to individuals and families who receive coverage through government-sponsored programs. Its main lines of business include Medicaid, Medicare, and health plans offered through government marketplaces.

The company works with state and federal agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations to coordinate care for members, including low-income adults and children, seniors, and people with disabilities or complex medical needs.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.